Books
At Vallgatan 12, a curated selection of books focuses on fashion, design, architecture, art, photography, travel and lifestyle, among other subjects. The range spans informative reference works and visually oriented coffee-table books, where subject matter, photography, typography and design interact with the book's function and expression.
Coffee-table books are usually larger volumes with visual content in which photography, illustrations and graphic design play a central role. They are often found within fields such as architecture, interior design, fashion, art, photography and travel, and are designed to be browsed through and revisited over time. Monographs, biographies, reference works and books with more text-based content can also have a natural place in the home library or on a carefully chosen surface.
A book's format and construction vary depending on its content and publication. Hardcover books usually have a stiffer cover and a more stable construction, while paperback books have a more flexible cover and are often lighter. Larger books may have heavier paper and larger image formats, giving photographs and illustrations more space. Paper quality, printing technique, typography and colour reproduction affect both the reading experience and the visual expression, while details such as dust jackets, embossed covers and special bindings can add another dimension to the book's design.
Books can be placed in several ways depending on their format, content and the function of the room. Larger volumes can be laid flat or stacked in small groups on coffee tables and side tables, while bookcases and open shelving systems are suited to upright books organised by subject, size or colour, for example. Individual books can also be placed alongside art objects, vases and other decorative items to create variation between different heights and materials. The books' formats and covers then become part of the shelf's or table's visual composition.
Size and proportion are particularly relevant when books are used as part of an interior. Larger coffee-table books can add weight to a coffee table or open shelf, while smaller volumes suit narrower shelves and side tables. Several books can be placed together to create height and structure, while a single book can be used as a more defined detail. The combination of book format, cover and other objects can also help create a more varied and balanced composition.
Books are also part of the home's personal reference library and can provide access to knowledge, visual material and different perspectives. In design and architecture, for example, monographs, historical reference works and image-based publications are used as sources of inspiration and deeper understanding. Fashion, art and photography books can similarly function both as reading material and visual references, making the book selection relevant beyond traditional bookshelves as well.
Proper storage helps preserve books' covers, bindings and pages over time. Books should be protected from direct sunlight, high humidity and major temperature fluctuations, as light can fade covers and paper, while moisture can affect paper, glue and binding. When stored in a bookcase, books should stand securely and not be pressed too tightly against one another. Larger and heavier volumes can preferably be placed horizontally on stable shelves. Dust should be removed gently with a soft, dry cloth or brush, and books should be kept dry and free from spills.
Vallgatan 12's selection of books includes publications in which content, photography, design and physical quality work together. From fashion, art and photography to design, architecture, travel and lifestyle, the category offers both visual reference works and informative volumes that can be read, revisited and integrated as a considered part of the home's interior.